Eternal Empire - Kingdom Building

The soft crackle of the fire flickered against the wooden walls as David stirred the venison stew. Laura had vanished once again, full of curiosity and wonder at the spells cast upon her. The excitement in her eyes had been undeniable, yet it left David with a gnawing sense of unease.

“She’ll be back soon,” he muttered, glancing at Fording. “I doubt I’ll get much rest tonight.”

Fording gave a calm nod, unbothered by the looming chaos. "It never hurts to prepare," he said, his voice steady. "Water, food... bandages, even. Just in case."

David frowned, his thoughts drifting. Bandages and medicines seemed redundant, considering the Holy Light could heal any wound Laura suffered. But then it struck him—they weren’t for her. Laura's companions, wherever they fought, wouldn’t have access to the same divine aid. They would rely on mortal remedies, not miracles.

“I’ll gather what we have,” David said, his voice quieter now, realizing the smallness of his village's resources. So many things were missing—wells, structures, basic necessities. The emptiness of the place mirrored the emptiness of the nights he had spent alone. But tonight was different. For the first time in years, there was purpose.

The wolves' carcasses were stashed in the warehouse. The berries had been half-heartedly sorted. David focused on the venison stew, watching the mushrooms bubble and steam, mixing with the wild flavors of the forest. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to feed them for the night.

Fording had already returned from his trips to the river, filling every available container with fresh water. In the quiet that followed, the two men sat near the fire. David ladled stew into bowls, listening to Fording's voice as he spoke of the Holy Light.

In the past, David would have scoffed at such talk—divine power was the stuff of games, not reality. But now, with the power coursing through his veins, the world had changed. The Holy Light wasn’t just a tool. It was a force, binding him to something greater than himself.

"You’ve learned quickly," Fording remarked, watching David with quiet admiration. "Your understanding of the Light... it’s unlike anything I’ve seen."

David smirked, though a flicker of doubt lingered in his heart. "I never imagined it would be real," he admitted, his voice low, as if confessing to the fire rather than to Fording. "Two years ago, I was just trying to survive. Now, I’m here, wielding something I only dreamed of."

The weight of his journey pressed on him then—the isolation, the dark nights when he had no one left to talk to, when every conversation had faded into silence. But those days had passed. He wasn’t alone anymore.

Fording’s words would be hard to believe for anyone from Azeroth. A paladin, one of the original five, known throughout the world for his mastery of the Holy Light, was telling David that he might soon surpass him. It wasn’t something easily accepted, but it spoke volumes about David’s talent.

David had just started learning the Holy Light. Yet here he was, already commanding it. Healing, protection, even increasing physical strength or launching attacks—it was all coming naturally to him.

"I’m a fast learner?" David looked at the golden energy dancing in his palm. He knew he had some help, but the pride still bubbled up inside him.

"This speed is more than just fast." Fording’s praise was genuine. "Most priests who’ve just graduated wouldn’t grasp the Holy Light as you have."

From a complete novice to a capable wielder in less than a day. That kind of progress was unheard of.

"Persistent practice is what’s left." Fording hesitated, thinking to warn David against arrogance, but stopped. Instead, he shifted the topic, glancing toward Laura. "Use it more, and you’ll gain deeper understanding."

David followed his gaze as Laura walked back in. The Holy Light he’d placed on her had been consumed. But she looked unharmed, not even a speck of dust on her. A smile lit up her face.

"Looks like things went well."

Laura nodded. "The immediate threat is dealt with, but not entirely resolved." She set her bow and quiver beside him. "Here’s your bow back."

Besides the bow, she had another slung over her shoulder, a large bag in her hand, and a pistol at her waist. Clearly, she’d picked up more than what was stolen.

"I mainly came to drop these off." Laura placed the bag down, opening it to reveal the contents. "This is a pistol, and these are bullets... It's a weapon that shoots these, and you must never point it at yourself..."

David listened, doing his best to appear impressed. "Oh, wow... amazing stuff."

Fording, on the other hand, was fascinated. Once David translated, he gave an appreciative nod. "Such a finely crafted musket."

After explaining the gun and handing over enough ammunition, Laura was ready to head out again. But before leaving, she hesitated, her voice cautious. "You can still use that spell, right?"

"Of course."

Her smile grew brighter, the tension easing from her shoulders. Now, she was confident. The Holy Light spell David had cast on her earlier made her feel invincible.

After a quick sip of broth and water, she watched David lift his hand again, golden light swirling around him. The light gathered, then slowly faded into his skin. Laura, now completely reassured, waved a confident goodbye and marched off with her head held high.

As David watched her leave, he sighed inwardly. The Brotherhood of the Sun doesn’t stand a chance. He didn’t linger on it long, though. He turned to Fording and casually continued tinkering with the guns Laura had brought back.

There was a strange force on the island where Laura found herself in trouble. Any plane or ship that ventured into the surrounding waters, intentionally or not, was destroyed. Survivors from countless wrecks had been trapped there for years.

These people came from all walks of life. Some had weapons, and during World War II, the Japanese army had even stationed troops on the island. So, guns and ammunition were in no short supply.

The pack Laura brought back only had three pistols and some bullets, but no rifles.

David tinkered with the pistols for a bit, figuring out how to operate them. I wonder if I could attach Holy Light to a bullet. What would happen? His mind wandered.

"You can try it after dawn tomorrow," he muttered to himself.

For now, though... Laura had just left. She wasn’t likely to return any time soon. Sleep? He felt too energized for that.

Keep studying the Holy Light? No, Fording had said practice was what mattered now. Advanced knowledge wouldn’t come without deeper insights first.

So, what else was there to do?

Suddenly, the thought hit him. The village. He hadn’t named it yet. Why not bring that up?

"Tirion, what do you think we should call the village?" David asked, shifting topics.

Fording, busy fiddling with one of the pistols, looked up, surprised. "Isn’t that up to you? After all, it’s your village."

David grinned. "I’ve thought of a few names."

"Let’s hear them, then. Maybe I can help you decide."

David glanced around, thinking aloud. "Heavenly Village."

"That... sounds a little strange," Fording said, raising an eyebrow.

David muttered under his breath, "This is the center of the universe, though." But naming it something so grand seemed... over the top.

"Ivory Mountain," he suggested next.

Fording tilted his head, confused. "The nearest mountain is that northern peak, right? Seems too far from the village for that name to make sense."

David sighed. "Konoha Village."

"Now that one sounds nice."

David fell silent.

"What? What’s wrong with it?" Fording asked, noticing David's sudden pause.

"Just... doesn’t feel right. Maybe it’s bad luck. I’m not trying to have the whole village wiped out, you know?"

In truth, he wasn’t seriously considering any of those names. He was just throwing ideas around, hoping something would stick. He needed a name that matched the village’s vibe.

"Let’s see... It’s cold up here, in the north... Hmm, suddenly I’m thinking of a name even more unlucky."

He left it hanging there, thoughts drifting. I’ll come up with something better later.